How does point of view affect a short story?
1 Answer
It greatly affects which characters you can hear speak, think, and understand as they are thrust into the world around them.
Explanation:
For example: In first person, you only get to hear the main character (or whoever you choose) speak, think, and understand.
"I heard him speak to me. 'Abagail, you're not meant to be here.' He was right of course. I knew I wasn't supposed to be here, but I just couldn't stay away! I loved him!"
In second person, you only hear the narrator speak, think, and understand. The narrator may talk to the audiance, and they often address you.
"She heard a voice. 'Abagail, you're not meant to be here.' Max was right or course, how could he not be? This is the part where you feel content for the character, alright? She knew she wasn't supposed to be here, but she just couldn't stay away! Oh, the drama! And of course, she loved Max! Yes, she did."
In third person, you can hear the main character, as well as the other people around her as they speak, think, and understand; all from the narrator's point of view.
"She heard a voice. 'Abagail, you're not supposed to be here.' Max was right of course. And he knew it, but he also felt a longing her her to stay. Abagail could feel it too. A longing to stay with him. But there was something telling her that she wasn't supposed to be there, but she just couldn't stay away. She loved him, and he loved her too."
